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Integration of Aircraft Exterior Lighting with Proximity Sensing and Warning

a technology of proximity sensing and aircraft, applied in the direction of electromagnetic wave reradiation, measurement devices, instruments, etc., can solve the problems of unfavorable passengers, delays and rescheduling of passengers, and the pilot's experience of aircraft width becomes more difficult to achiev

Active Publication Date: 2017-04-20
GOODRICH LIGHTING SYST
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method and system for estimating the distance between an aircraft and an object using a test light signal transmitted by the aircraft's exterior light. The system includes a sensor to measure the parameter of the incoming light, and a processor to compare the parameter of the reflection of the test light signal from the object to the parameter of the transmitted light. By measuring these parameters and using a formula, the system can calculate the distance between the object and the aircraft. The technical effect is the ability to accurately estimate the distance of an object to an aircraft without the need for expensive and time-consuming methods.

Problems solved by technology

As larger airplanes are being produced with larger wingspans, it becomes more difficult for the pilot to have a feel for the width of the aircraft.
Thus, various incidents have occurred in which the tips of wings are run into objects on the ground, leading to unwanted expenses due to structural damage, flight delays and rescheduling of passengers.

Method used

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  • Integration of Aircraft Exterior Lighting with Proximity Sensing and Warning
  • Integration of Aircraft Exterior Lighting with Proximity Sensing and Warning
  • Integration of Aircraft Exterior Lighting with Proximity Sensing and Warning

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Embodiment Construction

[0007]FIG. 1 shows a top view of an aircraft 100 having a proximity sensing system in one embodiment of the present invention. Aircraft 100 includes a fuselage 102 with forward wings 104 and aft wings 106. The aircraft 100 further includes various exterior lights at various locations. These exterior lights may be implemented on the aircraft 100 or built into the aircraft 100 during construction of the aircraft 100. The exterior lights are generally used for illumination purposes, for example, to provide lighting for the aircraft 100 either in-flight or during taxiing of the aircraft 100 along the ground. While taxiing, the exterior lights can be used to illuminate objects of the runway so that the pilot may see what is ahead of and around the aircraft 100. Also, the exterior lights can provide illumination of the aircraft 100 to other aircrafts in its vicinity so that other pilots can note its presence. Exemplary exterior lights include landing / take off light 110, taxi light 112, ru...

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PUM

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Abstract

A system and method for estimating a distance between an aircraft and an object is disclosed. An exterior light of the aircraft transmit a test light signal and a parameter the transmitted test light signal is measured. A sensor receives a reflection of the test light signal from the object and the parameter is measured for the reflection test signal. The distance between the aircraft and the object is estimated using the parameter of the reflection and the parameter of the test light signal. The exterior light is generally a light that is built into the aircraft during aircraft construction while the sensor is retrofitted onto the aircraft.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]A common concern of pilots that are taxiing an aircraft along the ground is that the aircraft does not collide with another object on the ground. As larger airplanes are being produced with larger wingspans, it becomes more difficult for the pilot to have a feel for the width of the aircraft. Thus, various incidents have occurred in which the tips of wings are run into objects on the ground, leading to unwanted expenses due to structural damage, flight delays and rescheduling of passengers.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION[0002]In one aspect of the present invention, a method of estimating a distance between an aircraft and an object includes: using an exterior light of the aircraft to transmit a test light signal; measuring a parameter of the transmitted test light signal; receiving at a sensor a reflection of the test light signal from the object; measuring the parameter of the reflection; and estimating the distance between the aircraft and the o...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B64F1/00G01S17/10G01S7/486B64D47/02G01S17/93G01S7/4861G01S17/933
CPCB64F1/002B64D47/02B64D2205/00G01S7/4861G01S17/10G01S17/933G01S17/003G01S17/46
Inventor LAPUJADE, PHILIPPE
Owner GOODRICH LIGHTING SYST